THE LITTLE DREAMER. ANON. [Simply and distinctly.] A little boy was dreaming, Upon his mother's lap, That the pins fell out of all the stars, So, when his dream was over, What should this little boy do? Why, he went and looked inside his cap, And found it wasn't true! A LITTLE BOY'S POCKET. ANON. [Imitating as much as possible the lisp of a little boy.] Do you know what's in my pottet? Listen now while I bedin it; Such a lot of sins it hold, And all there is you shall be told; Every sin dat's in my pottet, And when, and where, and how I dot it. First of all, here's in my pottet And here's my ball, too, in my pottet, To-morrow day I'll buy a spade, Here's some more sins in my pottet; LITTLE RAG-TAG. CHRISTIAN UNION. [Naturally and earnestly.] A curly, bright head, and perched upon it A pair of old shoes, forever untied, Whose soles have holes, whose toes grin wide. Come sun or come shade, come shine or come rain, To little Rag-tag 'tis ever the same; : With an air of the most supreme content Why people complain she never can see, If we all had hearts like little Rag-tag! CHOOSING A NAME. MARY LAMB. [To be spoken in a lively, off-hand way.] I have got a new-born sister, I was nigh the first that kissed her How papa's dear eyes did glisten! And papa has made an offer I shall have the naming of her. Now, I wonder what would please her? Charlotte, Julia, or Louisa? Ann and Mary, they're too common; Jane's a prettier name, beside. But we had a Jane that died! Emily is neat and fine; What do you think of Caroline? I am in a little fever Lest the name that I should give her JACK FROST. ANON. [Imitate as much as you can, by voice and gesture, the descriptions hero given.] Jack Frost is a roguish little fellow; When the wintry winds begin to bellow And steals thro' the cracks everywhere. And draws from their eyes the big round tears. DAISIES IN HEAVEN. GEO. W. BIRDSEYE. [To be delivered in a tender, sympathetic manner.] Down in the meadow, close by the lane, "Mamma, are there daisies in heaven?" Fondly but sadly the mother smiled, "Yes, love, there are daisies in heaven!" Spring bloomed again and the daisies smiled MY EARLIEST RECOLLECTION. ANON. [Recite very archly.] I recollect a nurse called Ann, Came up and kissed the pretty lass- When I can talk I'll tell mamma," PUSS AND HER THREE KITTENS. TOM HOOD. [Give in an animated style and tone of voice.] Our old cat has kittens three What do you think their names should be? One is a tabby, with emerald eyes, I think we shall call her this- |